LA: Tsukemen Ramen at Tsujita LA

Enough of a distraction from NYC Eats, this is the 3rd post in my LA Food Tour, Spring 2013 series. Previous post includes Kang Ho Dong Baekjeong (the best Korean BBQ ever!) and Manhattan Beach Post.

Before Tsujita LA, I had never even heard of Tsukemen Ramen. But this dish has made me a believer and now it's a must-have everytime I go to LA.

Tsujita LA is known for their tsukemen ramen which is served only during lunch. Everyday at 11 AM, Tsujita opens their doors and within a few minutes, there will usually already be a waitlist.

NYC: Beyond Sushi

Looking for healthy food that's not only affordable but delicious? Look no more, Beyond Sushi serves just that, 100% vegan sushi, unlike anything you've seen before. I've seen Beyond Sushi and its 4.5 star rating on Yelp in the past. But, given the choice between eating regular sushi versus the vegan sushi at Beyond Sushi, I usually choose the sushi that I know and love.

I mean, sure it looked pretty, but vegan sushi? Really? The words vegan and sushi just doesn't seem to go together. This all changed when I was doing my cleanse, and became desperate for a taste of sushi. Since I couldn't eat raw fish at the time, sushi options were extremely limited so Beyond Sushi was my only option to get my fix.

That said, Beyond Sushi is THE BEST discovery during my three week cleanse. It showed me that healthy food can be convenient and doesn't have to cost a million bucks. (I'm looking at you, Quintessence.)

Beyond Sushi is located near Union Square and is opened by Chef Guy Vaknin, a finalist on Hell's Kitchen. He was inspired to promote a healthier lifestyle so he opened a concept that is clearly missing in the current market.

Vegetarian sushi is usually pretty boring, usually an afterthought make from ingredients that are left over from the regular rolls. However, the menu at Beyond Sushi gets really creative and each roll is not only bright and colorful since it's only made from plant-based ingredients but there is pretty much no guilt after eating because everything tastes so fresh and healthy.

NYC: Rebecca Minkoff Sample Sale, May 6-11th 2013

Readers, I have a confession to make. I've been a bad New Yorker. This month marks my second year living in New York, yet the sample sales that I have shopped at - well, I can count on one hand!

One of the best parts of living in New York is being able to take advantage of these things! That said, I am proud to say that I finally went to the Rebecca Minkoff sample sale yesterday and came out a winner.

Rebecca Minkoff sample sales happen twice a year, usually in May and November. Just last year they expanded from just having a NY sale to having a LA location as well. You see, I've seen countless emails to these sample sales in my inbox for quite a few years now, but somehow never needed to go since I already owned two RM bags - a black croc embossed M.A.C. and a matte gray mini M.A.C. I just didn't want to tempt myself.

I try to never pay full price for anything if I don't have to and these bags were no exception. My black MAC came from the Nordstrom Anniversary sale 4 years ago for $220 (orig $295) and my mini MAC was purchased with a Refinary29 deal for $110 (orig $195).

My M.A.C. has been such a go-to bag for me that the piping on the bottom is finally starting to give out, so I knew it was time for me to finally hit the sale to see if I can find a suitable replacement...

1st Attempt  - I wanted to go to the sale the first day when it opened to shop the best of the lot, so on Monday afternoon, I got there right when the sale started at Noon. I figured I could skip lunch and grab a bag instead. WRONG. By the time I got there, the line was around the block and the ladies who were in line ahead of me had been there for over an hour! There was no way I was going to get in and shop before lunch ended. Bummed, I hopped back on the subway to go finish the work day.

Note to self: don't go to Rebecca Minkoff Sample Sale on the first day or be prepared to wait 1-2 hours in line.

The long tables filled with Regular and Mini M.A.Cs, mini 5-zip and more!

NYC: Hakata Tonton

Hakata Tonton is a Japanese temple to pig's trotters located in the West Village. After hearing my brother rave about the grilled trotters, garlic fried rice, and the hot pot (I love hot pot), I knew I had to give it a try.

The restaurant is quite small and given its popularity, I would highly recommend making a reservation way in advanced. Even when I made a ressie a week ahead, the first opening for a table for 4 on a Saturday night was 9:30PM, so plan accordingly.

LA: Manhattan Beach Post

This is the 2nd post in my LA Food Tour, Spring 2013 series. Previous post includes Kang Ho Dong Baekjeong (the best Korean BBQ ever!).

Long before I ever came into the picture, J and his bestie regularly went on brunch dates around LA. Their bromance grew from this special meal they shared together every weekend. Name a good brunch spot in LA, they've probably been there together. So when the weekend came along during our most recently LA trip, I felt honored to be taken out with them to the brunch hot spot, Manhattan Beach Post.

Manhattan Beach Post is, well you guessed it, located in Manhattan Beach. That in and of itself gives it some cool points from me. LA + beach = ❤! 

Manhattan Beach Post is a "social house", and unless you have a brunch reservation, you are seated in the long communal tables, meant to be shared with whoever comes along.